Hell Home
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The children humbly took their seats back in the reception room where Matron Cross was already seated. Aunt Jane and Miss Hurst entered the room but Aunt Jane was rudely ordered back out. "Your heart is too tender and you make no use of your disciplinary powers. Go to the sick bay where you belong, Nurse Jane." Aunt Jane shamefully left the room. "Where are the others, Miss Winters?" "They are tidying up the breakfast area Matron. Do you wish me to call them?" asked Miss Winters. "Yes, the girls will finish tidy the breakfast area before they go to their room." Within minutes Miss Winters returned accompanied by Aunt Mary and Miss Hurst. The room suddenly became uncomfortably humid as Matron paced the floor, shaking her head in disgust. Sarah felt sweat pour down her face as she stared around the room at Megan, Kate, Inga and Karen. "That bastard Nola is dead in my basement. I want to know how she got out, when she got out and who assisted her in trying to escape." "One of you or all of you must have some answers, so I will be asking each one of you only once. Who ever is responsible will be severely punished, or all of you will accept the consequences for Nola's stupid actions." "No one leaves this room until I say so." Matron's face became red with anger as she continued pacing the floor in an annoying manner. "Sarah, step forward, your influence over this class is ridiculous. From the time I saw you, I knew you would be trouble here at St. Francis. Also bring with you Kate, Megan, Inga and Karen." "The rest of you, do you have any information about Nola's escape?" "No ma'am," shouted the girls in unison. "Well whether you know or not, I believe at least one of you will be punished." "Miss Winters, please get Shorty and Mr. Todd to bring the body in here." "But Matron the girls.......... that would be too much for them to endure," said Miss Winters. "Nonsense," Matron said without much feeling. "Let them see how their wicked ways will end, maybe that will stop the rest of them from thinking of running away from here." Miss Winters quickly returned with Shorty and Mr. Todd. They were carrying Nola's body still covered with the sheet. As Miss Winters closed the door, her hand shook, and sweat dripped down her forehead. "Uncover the body Shorty," Matron said wickedly. "Let the girls each come forward and slap the little rascal. She must also be punished for trying to escape." "My dear, what a cruel thing to do. She has no respect for Nola, even in death," whispered Inga. "Please dear Jesus if you are listening, forgive us for hurting Nola," Kate said quietly. "Quiet Kate, she can't feel anyway, she is dead." "I know that Sarah, but it is cruel and unkind. Matron is the worse person in the world." As the girls stepped forward to slap Nola's body, they screamed, jumped and held each other crying uncontrollably. Most of the girls fainted after seeing Nola's body lying helplessly on her back. Her face expressed fear and frustration and her clothes hung loose. Her body was cold and bloated, and it appeared as if she was fiercely attacked by insects and bitten repeatedly. Matron please let me get Aunt Jane to attend to the girls who have fainted. They need medical attention immediately," begged Miss Hurst, who could no longer hold back her emotions. "Do not disturb Aunt Jane; the medication must be used for emergency purposes only. Mr. Todd, attach the garden hose on to the tap and bring it to me." Mr. Todd handed Matron the hose and she opened it with such force that the poor girls rolled over in pain from side to side on the floor, unable to escape the pressure of the water. Megan then held on to Sarah and Inga for support. With the room now soaked in water, the girls jumped up dazed and frightened and ran to the door which was blocked by Mr. Todd. "Stop right there, get mops and buckets and make sure this room is cleaned up. When you are finished, go and stand outside on the lawn in the sun until your clothes are dry. Do not come back into my home until you are dry." Unnoticed, Aunt Jane sneaked down to the reception room and looked through the slightly opened door. She couldn't console herself and broke down crying, knowing that she could do nothing to help the poor children. Aunt Jane rushed back to the infirmary and knelt down beside her bed. "Dear God, please give me strength to help the girls. I cannot remain here anymore and see Matron ill-treat these sweet innocent girls anymore. I wish to run away from here but I can't . Please God, show me what I can do." As the girls struggled to dry the floor, Shorty and Mr. Todd were ordered to take the body into town and deliver it to Mr. Stan Rogers, the town's Undertaker who does a lot of dirty cover up work for Matron. In that way any news of death at St. Francis never goes public. Shorty and Mr. Todd were also instructed to transport the body after sunset, so as to avoid being seen by Mr. Roger's staff at the Funeral Home. After the children finished cleaning up the water, Aunt Mary sent them to their room. She then turned the lights out, transforming the room into darkness. Within a few minutes, the sound of the cart carrying Nola's body rolled away in the distant. "They are taking Nola's body away, can't you hear the cart leaving?" asked Inga. "Yes Inga, let us say a prayer quickly for Nola," said Sarah. "Her world is peaceful at last."
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Hell Home A very inspiring children's book about faith, strength and survival. A book fill with emotions and anger, yet very comforting to the hearts of young children and adults who believe in the power of pray. A touching story about seven little girls living at an Orphanage under the supervision of a psychotic Matron called Miss Cross. The children were treated horribly and very often were forced to go to bed without food and water. Sarah, a very brave little girl was the self appointed leader for the group, and convinced the others to protest the inhumane living conditions at the Orphanage. This decision was met with severe punishment by the Matron who ordered the girls to be locked up in the basement cellar. The dirty old basement was reserved for storing broken pieces of furniture, including old beds and garden equipment, besides other unwanted items. It was also used as a haven for rodents and a burial ground for dead animals. The children remained in the basement for days without food and water, a punishment which they endured on a number of occasions. The staff members at the Orphanage were very afraid of Matron Cross and participated in the bad treatment of the children. This cruel and inhumane situation, along with lack of proper medical attention led to the death of Sandy, who was accidentally burnt and succumbed to her injuries. Nola drowned while trying to escape from the 'Hell Home' Orphanage in a boat. Megan's health deteriorated rapidly from ill treatment and Kate committed suicide while undergoing punishment in the basement. Reader, see how a courageous little girl name Sarah O'Dell persevered and fought hard despite the prolonged bad treatment from Matron, to transform St. Francis Children's Home into a home away from home for future children. Also, prepare yourself for the unfortunate demise of Matron Cross.
About the Author
Ms Adorial Maxwell-Hazell has been employed as an Air Traffic Control Officer with the Ministry of International Transport in Barbados for about thirty years. She is the mother of two daughters, Shakida Belgrave and Akeisha Belgrave-Smith. Ms Maxwell-Hazell is a certified Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VCT) Provider, an HIV/AIDS Peer Educator and Hotline Facilitator with the Ministry of Health, Barbados. She has completed several courses, and has received professional training and certification in the following areas: Care of the Dying, Counselling Psychology, Crisis Hotline Counselling, Care of the Elderly, Hypnotherapy and Hypnoanalysis, Stress Management in Disasters (SMID), Bereavement and Grief Counselling and Caring for the Bereaved. Training in the above courses, including her love and commitment for helping others, lend credit to her dedicated involvement as a Volunteer and Counselor with the following Organizations. These are, The Business and Professional Women's Club of Barbados Crisis Centre Hotline, The Ministry of Health HIV/AIDS Hotline, Bereavement Support Services, The Barbados Cancer Society, National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) and The Royal Barbados Police Force Victim Support Program. She was recognized in 2008 for her contribution to community/volunteer service and was one of the recipients to be presented with the First Caribbean International Bank Unsung Hero Award. Ms Maxwell-Hazell is a Barbados Community College Associate Degree Graduate in Social Work, and is presently working on her second book entitled 'Lets Make a Better World, Love Someone.' She is also the Founder and President of Precious Touch Foundation Inc. This is a non-profit Organization dedicated to the granting of wishes to children who are diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions, and children who are terminally ill from age two (2) until sixteen (16) years.